Interproximal gingival inflammation related to the conversion of a bleeding to a nonbleeding state

Elimination of gingival bleeding has been related to a reduction in inflammation; however, histologic data are not available to support this association. The purpose of this study was to characterize the histology of interproximal gingiva that was converted from a bleeding to a nonbleeding state. An interproximal gingival biopsy was obtained from each of 32 patients, 15 of whom bled upon stimulation with a soft wooden interdental cleaner. The remaining 17 biopsies were obtained from sites which initially bled, but were converted to nonbleeding by scaling and interproximal plaque control. Specimens were processed for light microscopic evaluation and subjected to a morphometric analysis for various tissue components. Data from bleeding and "stopped bleeding" specimens were compared using analysis of covariance. The results indicated that "stopped bleeding" specimens had significantly less inflamed connective tissue. It was concluded that the conversion of a bleeding to a nonbleeding state corresponds with a histological reduction in the magnitude of the interproximal inflammatory lesion and provides a rationale, therefore, for the use of bleeding to monitor the effects of therapeutic methods.